February 8, 2006 12:22

Pete Doherty verdict revealed

The rest of Babyshambles were in court

Photo Gallery: Babyshambles
Photo: Emilie Bailey

Pete Doherty is a free man after being served with a 12-month community order after pleading guilty to possession of drugs.

The singer appeared at Ealing Magistrate’s Court today (February 8), where he was told that he has to serve the order, rather than go to prison.

He was facing multiple drugs possession charges after a series of arrests over the last three months in London.

As part of the order Doherty has to go on a drug rehab program for the next year, and has to be tested for drugs once a month. If the order is broken, he could be sentenced in a different way, meaning the possibility of prison remains if he doesn’t stay clean.

He’s due at Thames Magistrates Court on March 8 to review the order.

Speaking to the Magistrate, Doherty’s lawyer Sean Curran told the Magistrate that it was important the Babyshambles man didn’t let his fans down any more.

He said: “Pete Doherty has asked me to point out another reason he is in the public eye is that people derive enjoyment and are entertained by him. These people are his fans and he is happiest when he’s playing his guitar to others. He wants to repay their loyalty and support by coming through this at the other end as a successful and talented musician.”

Babyshambles members Adam Ficek and Drew McConnell were in court, and expressed their relief at the verdict.

Ficek said: "We are thrilled for [Pete] and for the band and we can go forward now. He is very talented in a musical sense and with the written word. The general public are yet to recognise that.”

McConnell added: "We did not speculate (on the sentence). We were very nervous about what the sentence would be but it's a result. We can't wait to see Pete and make plans for the rest of the year.

"I think some people just have a natural knack for summing up how a whole generation feels with a few words and a few notes. [Pete] still finds it hard to accept that he has that talent sometimes."

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